College friendships: A case of easy come, easy go?

Everyone agrees that college campuses are fertile settings for the development of close relationships. Students live together, study together, and party together. With geographical proximity---and shared interests and experiences---it’s not surprising that many of the friendships that begin in college dorms and classrooms last a lifetime. But a recent study suggests that without nurturance, these relationships are at risk for falling apart...

Glenn Sparks, a professor of communications at Purdue University, and his research team studied the friendships of a group of college graduates over the 19-year period from 1983 to 2002. The group included 32 same-sex pairs and 13 male-female pairs of best friends

On average, the graduates moved six times after college, and the typical distance between friends was 895 miles. In addition to the challenges posed by geography, friendships also were affected by blossoming romantic relationships, growing families and increasing career demands.

Sparks offers a cautionary note based on his study: "Even if you have not spoken to a friend for three years, get back in touch," he says. "You may find a friendship that will last your whole life, and that is a great thing."

"Making friends is like managing a bank account. You must make investments, and it is never too early to start," he adds.

This research was published in the summer edition of the journal Personal Relationships.